A/N: Okay…this one is long, also. I just hope it's not too long…or if it's not long enough…sigh…can't satisfy everyone, now can I? haha…wish it was easy…

Anyway, have fun reading it!

Happy New Year Everyone!

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Chapter 7: The Heir to the Li Kingdom

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Syaoran straightened from the bow. "I understand. I will go."

"Good. Then you are adopted as of today. Good day to you."

All the elders got up and one by one, they filed out. When Syaoran was sure they had all left, he slumped on the chair that was placed next to him.

"That's not how the next heir to the Li throne should act, if I might say so myself." Kalani said from the side. She sat down warily. "I guess not everything can turn out the way it's suppose to be, can it?"

Syaoran shook his head. "No, nothing ever turns out the way it's suppose to be. Nothing ever does. Not to me, anyway."

"Don't say such a stupid thing. Things will turn out fine, little one. I tried to talk them out of it, but they would listen to me, though I may be the owner and supporter of this orphanage, I am not the one who determines who gets adopted." Kalani sighed. She looked at Syaoran's sulking figure and sighed again. "It'll be okay, child. I've taught you all that I know. Use it. Use it and learn from them. Learn as much as you can."

Syaoran turned his head and stared at Kalani. What she had just said hit him. "Use it. Learn from them…" he said to himself. He stood up and his hands turned into fists. "I'll go. I'll go and learn as much as possible. And when I'm strong enough, I'm coming back for them." Syaoran turned his back to Kalani. "I almost forgot. This bag. It's for Tomoyo. The ribbons she wanted are in there."

Kalani took the bag. "I'll be sure to give them to her."

Syaoran walked over to the closed door. Turning his head to the side, he said,"Protect them for me," and left the room.

Kalani stood, also. "Yes." She bowed to Syaoran. "Don't worry, heir to the Li clan. I will watch over them from here. I will protect them with my life."

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"Syaoran, what do you mean you're leaving! You said that you're going to protect us. You said that you'll never leave us. How can you take back your words!" Tomoyo shouted.

"…" Syaoran said nothing. He ignored Tomoyo, use to her explosive shouting when she doesn't get what she wants. He wasn't worried about Tomoyo. He was worried about Sakura. He looked over at her. She sat on the edge of Tomoyo's bed, arms hooked around her knees and looking out the window, saying not a word.

Sakura sat in silence, listening to every word they were saying. 'Maybe I was meant to be alone. I'm cursed, making everyone around me suffer and leave.'

Syaoran looked at Sakura. 'She's probably thinking something negative about herself. Like she's cursed or something.'

"Do you hear me! Are you even listening to what I'm saying? Syaoran!"

"I'm sorry Tomoyo. I-I didn't…I have to go. It's not my choice to get adopted. Sorry that it ruined everything."

"Tell them that you don't want to leave! Tell them that they made a mistake. Tell them something! You can't leave here without us! You promised!"

"Tomoyo, let him go. Let him go. He wants to leave, can't you see that?" Sakura said.

"What? Sakura-"

"Let him go. He's not obligated to do anything for us. For me. Let him go so he can be on his way to becoming the heir of the Li clan." Sakura hadn't even turned her head to look at them. she couldn't bring herself to look into his mysterious amber eyes that always make her get lost.

Syaoran looked at her, knowing that what he thought was going through his mind, was going through her's.

"Don't worry. I'm not betraying you, Sakura. I'm going to learn as much as I can from them. Learn everything that they can teach me. I'm going to become strong, strong enough to protect the both of you."

Sakura took her eyes away from the window. Staring at him, listening to what he was saying, brought tears to her eyes.

"I'm going to come back. I promise."

"Syaoran…" Tomoyo covered her mouth to keep her from whimpering.

"Yes." Sakura nodded her head. "Become strong, Syaoran."

Syaoran nodded his head, pledging to serve his princess and only her. "You both have each other. Take care." Syaoran swung his bag behind him and started to whistle a tune Sakura had taught him a while back. He stuck his free hand into his pocket and stopped, feeling a soft material inside his pocket. Pulling out the smooth material, he saw that it was a pink, silk ribbon.

(flashback)

Syaoran whistled an old tune as he walked back to the orphanage, carrying a bag of newly bought ribbons. Tomoyo had gotten approval from Kalani to let Syaoran go buy materials that were needed by Tomoyo when she wanted to make a new dress. Tomoyo, being just like Kalani, was Kalani's favorite and she approved almost everything Tomoyo wanted to do.

Sighing, Syaoran stopped and opened the bag. Inspecting the ribbons, he mumbled, "I hope these are the ones Tomoyo wants. All she said was, 'Go buy ribbons!' and kicked be out the door. This better be right!"

He shoved the pink silk ribbons, which were Sakura's favorite, back inside the bag, and walked on.

Syaoran pushed back his chestnut hair and said, "Why did I have to be the one to do the shopping? I hate shopping! I don't even know what they want! Plus, these aren't even my things that I'm getting! It's not my dress that she's making!"

Syaoran sighed again. He knew it was no use talking to himself. As he walked past a wooden booth that was selling colorful shawls, a tall, muscular man stood up. He looked peculiar and out of place. His skin was darker than usual and on his left arm were heavy black markings and strange designs.

Syaoran walked past, ignoring the man, though Syaoran recorded the man's description in detail, something that he had learned from training with the head master of Tomoeda Orphanage, Kalani.

The mysterious figure followed Syaoran with his unusual gaze. Syaoran could feel it, like it was piercing his back. Syaoran stopped for a moment and decided to look at him directly for a moment.

The man had on strange clothing, wrapped around his body. His shirt was a light tan color, hung loosely around his neck and was tied at the waist with a single piece of rope. His pants were brown and were made out of a material Syaoran didn't know. The man also wore a cloak, which was the same color of his shirt.

The man met Syaoran's eyes with dark brown ones that bore into his. Syaoran broke the contact and walked on, whistling to himself once more. He didn't get far when he was stopped. The man walked right into him, blocking his path.

Syaoran looked up at him and saw his eyes traveling up and down, checking Syaoran like he was looking for some type of clue.

"Excuse me, but-"

The tall man grabbed Syaoran arm, roughly pulling it toward him. He turned Syaoran's arm palm up, and pushed back Syaoran's sleeve, revealing a small, elaborate black design between Syaoran's forearm and wrist.

The man looked at it for a moment longer and then pulled down the sleeve again, covering up the mark on Syaoran's arm. In a gruff voice, he commanded Syaoran to come with him.

"You're coming with me." He said as he began dragging Syaoran by the arm he held.

Syaoran struggled against the man's hold. "Wha-No! Let go of me!"

"I said, you're coming with me." He commanded again.

"No!" Syaoran yelled. "Who the heck are you, anyway! Let go of me before I kick your ass! I don't care how big you are!"

The man ignored Syaoran and began dragging him away, as Syaoran kept fighting him.

"Stop it right there!" yelled a female voice from behind them.

The man and Syaoran both turned and looked at the person who spoke. The woman had long, red hair that hung loosely to her waist. Her face was nicely structured with strong cheek bones, making her looks strikingly beautiful. The woman wore strange clothing, also. She had on a long, black leather jacket, which almost reached the ground and a matching black shirt, pants, and boots, making her look secretive and mystifying. She also had on a pair of shaded glasses that matched her exotic gown.

"Who are you? You don't belong here, from the way you wear your clothing." The man asked.

The woman took off her glasses and looked at the both of them with purplish-ruby eyes.

"I'm no one in particular, but I think the question here is, who are you? You look out of place, also, if I might add. So, who are you really? And why are you taking that boy against his will?" she said with curiosity.

The man laughed. "I am someone you do not want to annoy. Now mind your own business, fighter. I want none of your trouble."

The woman narrowed her eyes, all curiosity drained away replaced with seriousness. "How did you know I'm a fighter?"

"How? The way you're dressed, I'm guessing you're from another world, here on a mission. Only a fighter or someone who is strong will dare to travel into a different realm from their own." The man looked down a Syaoran and then back up at her. "I want nothing to do with your business here."

"Well, I think you are out of luck, for you have my business. I would not dare reveal myself, but as you can see, you know too much already. My guess is that you have been to other worlds yourself." She took a step forward. "You see, that boy you are holding is the one I've been looking for. He has some information that I seek." She pointed at Syaoran with the tip of her shades.

Syaoran looked from one to the other. 'What do they want with me? What the hell is going on!'

The man's grip loosened, giving Syaoran a chance to pull free.

"Ugh." The man looked at his hand and at Syaoran.

Syaoran dashed for the orphanage, running for his life. Both the man and the woman chased after him. Syaoran ran as fast as he could, matching both the woman and the man's speed and keeping the distance the same. Syaoran saw a food stand and ran for it, but unfortunately for him, he slipped.

"Got you." The man and the woman ran over and grabbed Syaoran's arm once more.

"Let go of him." She said, holding one of Syaoran's arm.

"Sorry, but he's coming with me. You'll have to find someone else for your information." He said, holding the other.

The woman looked at them.

"Let go of me! I don't want to go with you!"

The woman smiled. "It seems the boy does not want to go with you. You should listen to him."

Syaoran stood up. Looking at the woman, he said, "I don't want to go with you either. Let go of me."

"Both of you, let go."

They all looked up to see a very serious woman standing in front of them.

"Milady, I have found him." The man bowed his head.

"Let go of him, Syric."

The man looked at Syaoran. Then, taking a step back, he let go. Syaoran looked at the woman who was still holding his arm. She too, let go.

"I am sorry for all this, but this boy is someone I was looking for. I've been searching for quite a while now."

The stern looking woman smiled. "I understand, for I have been searching with Syric here, for quite a while, also."

The serious looking woman had long black hair that was tied up in a complicated and highly sophisticated style. She wore a rich and beautiful traditional kimono that looked very expansive. The woman was beautiful, high bone structure and dark eyes that competed with her dark, black hair. Her face was pale with some lines, showing age and wisdom. Her stance was different, also. It had power and determination behind it.

The two women seem to understand one another. They both nodded their heads as they looked at the other.

"Then let us go to this, place he lives in. It seems to be an orphanage, which works to our advantage." That said, the older looking woman as she began leading them to the orphanage.

Syaoran followed, since they were all going the same way. He knew that the time given to him to go buy materials for Tomoyo had long ran out and he had missed some of his duties. Sighing, Syaoran knew he would have extra duties for truancy and the elders would be furious with him.

(End of flashback)

Syaoran cradled the pink ribbon in his hand. He wanted to keep it, for some odd reason. It reminded him of someone. Someone he had promised something very important to. An obligation he wanted to keep. Syaoran extended his hand toward the bed where Sakura sat.

"Here, I got this for you, well, actually for Tomoyo's dress she was making for you. Take it."

Tomoyo looked at the ribbon. "You got one? Only one?"

"No, the rest is with Kalani. This one happened to be in my pocket."

Sakura walked over to Syaoran's extended hand. She looked at the ribbon that he held.

'A pink ribbon for my favorite color.' She thought.

Sakura went over to Tomoyo's desk and grabbed the many sharp cutters that were there. Taking it with her, Sakura walked back to Syaoran and grabbed the ribbon. Cutting it in three pieces, she handed one to Syaoran.

Syaoran looked at her, not knowing what she was doing. Sakura took the ribbon and tied it on his wrist.

"One for you. Our friendship." Sakura said with a smile. Turning to Tomoyo, she tied one of the two pieces onto her wrist, also.

"This one is for you. And this one," Sakura tied onto her hand, "is mine."

Sakura smiled at them. "This will symbolize our friendship. Keep it with you."

Syaoran nodded. "I'll go. I'll come back some day."

He turned to leave as Tomoyo walked over to Sakura. They watched him go out the door in silence.

Sakura pulled Tomoyo into a tight hug. "He'll come back. He promised."

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A/N: okay…for me, this is long…anyway, review 'cause I like reading them! Thanks for the earlier reviews! I love you guy!